Why President Buhari Shouldn't Consent To The New Anti-Rape Bill - Professor Soyinka

Professor Wole Soyinka, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to withhold his assent to the Sexual Offenses Bill (also known as the anti-rape bill) passed by the last National Assembly, without amendments that address the earlier Yerimah gift to the nation.

In a letter apologizing for his absence at an event marking the June 12 anniversary in Lagos, Mr. Soyinka said that a nation should not be founded on the sexual exploitation of the fragile and innocent.

The Nobel Laureate added that perhaps the legislators think that vaginal fistula is something thought up by arm-chair critics with nothing better to occupy their minds.

The Sexual Offenses Bill, 2015, which stipulates a life imprisonment for any individual found guilty of rape or sexual intercourse with children under 11 years; 10 years for incest; 10 years for child pornography or a fine of N2 million; and 14 years for sexual abuse, among others.

He stated that any effort to build a nation on perversions that merely minister to man’s sexual appetites is unacceptable.'